Skidrail

Abstract

A skidrail system for a reheat furnace including a first skidrail extending within the reheat furnace, a second skidrail extending within the reheat furnace in a skewed relationship with the first skidrail, a plurality of pipe members extending upwardly from the first and second skidrails, and a skid button positioned on an end of each of the pipe members opposite the first and second skidrails. The pipe members have an interior in fluid communication with an interior of the first and second skidrails. The skid button supports a product thereon. A fluid circulation system is positioned in the first and second skidrails and in the plurality of pipe members. This fluid circulation system delivers a cooling fluid in heat exchange relationship with the pipe members. The skid button is supported at least four inches above the first and second skidrail.

I claim: 
     
       1. A skidrail system for a walking-beam reheat furnace comprising: a plurality of horizontal skidrails extending longitudinally inside and supported above a floor of the reheat furnace, said skidrails extending in a direction of travel of a product through the furnace;   a tubular pipe means extending vertically upwardly from said skidrails, said pipe means affixed to a top surface of said skidrails, said pipe means having a surface for directly supporting a product thereon, said skidrails positioned inside the furnace so as to be in direct radiant thermal interaction with the product supported on said surface of said piper means; and   fluid circulation means contained within said pipe means, said fluid circulation means for delivering a fluid in heat exchange relationship with said pipe means.   
     
     
       2. The skidrail system of claim 1, each of said plurality of skidrails comprising a tubular member extending through the reheat furnace, said tubular member having a fluid passageway therein for the passage of a cooling fluid. 
     
     
       3. The skidrail system of claim 2, said pipe means rigidly affixed to said tubular member, said pipe means extending vertically upwardly therefrom. 
     
     
       4. The skidrail system of claim 3, said fluid circulation means in fluid communication with said fluid pathway of said tubular member such that said cooling fluid passes in heat exchange relationship with said pipe means. 
     
     
       5. The skidrail system of claim 4, said tubular member comprising: a supply pipe positioned within said fluid pathway, said fluid circulation means comprising an extender pipe cooling tube extending interior of said pipe means, said extender pipe cooling tube in fluid communication with said supply pipe, said supply pipe for delivering said cooling fluid to said extender pipe cooling tube.   
     
     
       6. The skidrail system of claim 5, said fluid circulation means further comprising: an annular passageway disposed between said extender pipe cooling tube and said pipe means, said extender pipe cooling tube opening within said pipe means so as to deliver said cooling fluid into said annular passageway.   
     
     
       7. The skidrail system of claim 1, said pipe means comprising: a pipe member affixed to at least one of said skidrails; and   a cap fastened to an end of said pipe member opposite said skidrail, said cap for closing an interior of said pipe member.   
     
     
       8. The skidrail system of claim 7, further comprising: a skid button fastened to said pipe means, said skid button extending above said cap, said skid button of a heat resistive material for supporting the product thereon.   
     
     
       9. The skidrail system of claim 8, further comprising: an insulation sleeve extending around an exterior of said pipe means, said insulation sleeve of a heat resistive material.   
     
     
       10. The skidrail system of claim 8, said pipe member having a length of greater than four inches, said cap positioned in fluid-tight relationship to an end of said pipe member, said skid button covering said cap. 
     
     
       11. The skidrail system of claim 1, said pipe means being skewed along said plurality of skidrails such that said surface for supporting the product is in contact with different areas on a surface of said product. 
     
     
       12. An improved skidrail assembly for a skid system of a walking-beam reheat furnace comprising: a tubular pipe member extending transversely upwardly from and above a horizontal skidrail of the skid system, said horizontal skidrail supported above a floor of a furnace, said horizontal skidrail extending through the furnace in a direction of travel of a product through the furnace;   a skid button fastened to a top of said pipe member opposite said horizontal skidrail, said skid button for supporting a product thereon, said horizontal skidrail positioned inside the furnace so as to be in unobstructed radiant thermal interaction with a product supported upon a top surface of said skid button; and   a fluid circulation means within said pipe member for passing a fluid in heat exchange relationship with said pipe member, said skid button sealing the top of said pipe member so as to contain said fluid within said pipe member.   
     
     
       13. The skidrail assembly of claim 12, said pipe member having a length of greater than four inches. 
     
     
       14. The skidrail assembly of claim 12, said skid button comprising: a cap fastened in fluid-tight relationship to the top of said pipe member opposite said horizontal skidrail.   
     
     
       15. The skidrail assembly of claim 14, said skid button comprised of a heat resistive material, said skid button covering said cap. 
     
     
       16. The skidrail assembly of claim 12, further comprising: an insulation sleeve extending around an exterior of said pipe member, said insulation sleeve of a heat resistive material.   
     
     
       17. The skidrail assembly of claim 12, further comprising: a fluid supply interconnected to said fluid circulation means, said fluid supply containing a heat exchange fluid for delivery to said fluid circulation means.   
     
     
       18. A skidrail system for a walking-beam reheat furnace comprising: a first skidrail extending horizontally and longitudinally within said reheat furnace and supported above a floor of said reheat furnace;   a second skidrail extending horizontally and longitudinally within said reheat furnace and supported above a floor of said reheat furnace, said second skidrail having at least a portion in skewed relationship to said first skidrail;   a plurality of tubular pipe members extending vertically upwardly above and from said first and second skidrails, said pipe members having an interior in fluid communication with an interior of said first and second skidrails; and   a skid button positioned on an end of each of said pipe members opposite said first and second skidrails, said skid button for supporting a product directly thereon, said first and second skidrails positioned in proximity to said skid button so as to be in direct radiant thermal interaction with a product supported on said skid button.   
     
     
       19. The skidrail system of claim 18, further comprising: fluid circulation means positioned in said first and second skidrails and said plurality of pipe members, said fluid circulation means for delivering a cooling fluid in heat exchange relationship with said pipe members.   
     
     
       20. The skidrail system of claim 18, said skid button supported at least four inches above said first and second skidrails.